National Aeronautic Association Announces 2025 Robert J. Collier Trophy Finalists
WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 17, 2026 — The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) is proud to announce the finalists for the 2025 Robert J. Collier Trophy, recognizing the greatest achievements in American aeronautics and astronautics from the past year.
Established in 1911 by air sports pioneer Robert J. Collier, this coveted award has set the standard for recognizing technological excellence in American aviation for over a century. Finalists are selected based on substantial improvements in performance, efficiency, and safety.
“The 2025 finalists embody American ingenuity, continuing the rich tradition of global aerospace innovation that defines the Collier Trophy,” said Amy Spowart, President and CEO, National Aeronautic Association. “To be considered for this award is to be recognized among the absolute best in our industry. These teams have taken on incredible challenges—from exploring deep space to redefining autonomy in logistics and combat—and have succeeded in relentlessly expanding the limits of possibility.”
The finalists for the 2025 award are:
- Blue Ghost Mission 1 (Firefly Aerospace): For the first commercial Moon landing and the operation of 10 NASA payloads, advancing cislunar space commercialization.
- Boom Supersonic XB-1 (Boom Supersonic): For the first successful flight of a private supersonic demonstrator, progressing civil supersonic travel.
- Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (Venus Aerospace): For demonstrating significant gains in rocket propulsion efficiency, enabling advances in space launch and hypersonic flight.
- Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) Mission Team (JPL): For conducting Earth’s first high-performance global surface water survey, providing transformative insights into oceans and freshwater.
- Wing Drone Delivery Team (Wing): For implementing safe, widespread automated drone delivery in dense urban areas, revolutionizing last-mile logistics.
- YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft (Anduril Industries): For rapidly developing and flight-testing a semi-autonomous fighter, reshaping autonomous combat airpower.
The 2025 Robert J. Collier Trophy winner will be selected on March 12, 2026, in Washington, D.C, with the formal presentation scheduled for June.
For more information about the Robert J. Collier Trophy, visit naa.aero.
About the National Aeronautic Association: Established in 1905, the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering participation in aviation and promoting the critical importance of air and space flight in the United States. As the steward of the world’s most prestigious aviation awards and the official certifying body for all aviation records achieved in the United States, the NAA is committed to honoring excellence and advancing the future of flight.
